Shallow imaging of fault zones is a challenging task.
We investigate if this issue can be successfully addressed by
combining reflection seismics with non-standard multifold
wide-aperture profiling, a strategy pertaining to crustal scale
exploration so far. Near-offset reflection and multifold
wide-aperture data are simultaneously recorded along two
profiles in a small basin crossed by an active fault in
Southern Italy. Imaging consists of multiscale seismic
tomography complemented by CDP processing of nearoffset
reflections and of data spanning a large offset range.
By combining smooth Vp and reflectivity images we
pinpoint the fault location and yield a valuable picture of
the basin. Performance of each exploration technique
strongly varies in the two surveys depending on the local
geology. Thus, the combined exploration strategy not only
yields complementary images for enhanced interpretation,
but also allows extending the range of applicability of
shallow seismics for fault detection, reducing the risk of
unsuccessful investigations.